"Not only has China's Central TV been running regular follow ups to its March 15 expose on Apple's iPhone repair policies, but on Thursday People's Daily - the Communist Party's official propaganda organ - attacked the company for the fourth day in a row, devoting half a page to negative articles." This isn't rocket science. The west treats Chinese technology companies like crap, so they treat western companies like crap. How exactly does this surprise anyone? And why is it okay for our governments to engage in political games to smear foreign companies, but we throw a hissy fit when a foreign nation engages in the same political games to smear western companies? It sucks for Apple to be the target right now, but had this occurred a decade ago, it would have been Microsoft.

But on this one I would be curious to know what’s behind this campaign.

I wouldn’t be surprised that China tries to obtain something from Apple. Maybe access to iCloud data, censorship over App store, compliance with Chinese norms or whatever? Maybe they want an Apple datacenter in China (Also interesting for controlling data)?

Well... They defend their interests and Apple as one of the biggest single company in this market is a logical target. Knowing how Apple "fights" against other companies I can only hardly feel sad for them.